Internal combustion engine



Feb. 23, 1937. A. R. WURTELE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed May 9.1934 !!l////////////l//ll//1 A TTORNEY kg-[VENTUR- Patented Feb. '23,1937 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines of the Dieseltype, andmore particularly to combination valve and fuel injectionapparatus therefor.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novelcombination of valve, and f iel injection means for internal-combustionengines.

Another object of the invention-is to provide novel pump means forsupplying a. solid fuel to the power cylinder of an internal-combustionengine, and novel means for actuating said pump means.

Still another object is to provide novel means for controlling thequantity of fuel supplied to the power cylinder of aninternal-combustion engine during each power stroke of the therein.

A further objectis to provide novel valve and fuel injection mechanismfor an internal-combustion' engine comprising only a small number ofcomparatively ruggedparts which may be compactly arranged whereby theengine as a whole is greatly simplified, its reliability is increasedand installation, operating and maintenance costs are minimized.

A still further object is to provide novel unitary actuating means foran internal-combustionjengine valve and fuel injection mechanism,thereby reducing size and weight per horse-power output and minimizingthe .number of moving parts, thus cutting down friction losses and theprobability of break-down.

' The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following detailed description when taken inconnectionwith the accompanying drawing. It is to be expresslyunderstood,'h'ow-' ever, that the drawing is for the purpose ofillustration, onlyand is not designed as a definition of the limits ofthe invention, reference being had for' this purpose to the appendedclaims. I

' In the drawing, wherein like reference characters refertolike partsthroughout the several views; 4

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section and with parts brokenaway, illustrating a portion of an internal-combustion engineembodyingone form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan, partly in section and with parts broken away,taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on l1ne 3--3 of Fig. 1 and having parts brokenaway;

Fig. 4 is aside elevation on a reduced scale piston illustrating one.form of cam construction which may be employed in carrying out theinvention.

One embodiment of the novel valve and fuel injection apparatuscomprehended by the present invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, by way of example, in combination with one cylinder of atwo-cycle, port-scavenging exhaust valve-in-had, Dieselv type,internal-combustion engine. In the form shown, the latter comprises apower cylinder 5 and a piston 6 therein, said piston being connected inany suitable manner to the engine crank shaft 6a (Fig. 4) Preferablycylinder head I is cast integrally with the power cylinder andisprovided with a centrally disposed exhaust port 8 and a valve stemguide 9. A jacket l0 encompasses and is cast integrally with both thecylinder and cylinder head, forming a chamber ll through which asuitable cooling medium may be circulated, the

latter being introduced into said chamber at the lower portion thereofthrough an inlet (not shown) and conducted away through an outlet *pipe[2.

flow ofexhaust gases through port 8 and, as

illustrated, it comprises an enlarged convex head portion l3 and ahollow stem [4 which extends outwardly through a guide 9. Valve l3, I4is adapted to be normally held in closed position by suitable yielding,means such as a plurality of springs l5 circumferentially disposedabout' the valve stem and. interposed between cylinder head I and aflange or disc l6 threadedly mounted on the upper end of stem l4.Spindles l1, mounted on the cylinder head and slidably extending throughopenings in disc It, may be provided for positioning springs l5.

In view. of the intense heat'to which the exhaust valve is subjectedduring operation of the engine and'in view of the advantages obtained byinjecting the fuel into the central portion of the combustion chamber,novel cooling means and fuel injection means are provided within valvel3,

l4, whereby the life of the valve is increased, the operation andconstruction of the engine is 'great 1y simplified, and eiiiciencyenhanced. In the i1- communicates with power cylinder '5 through anopening 23 in valve head; l3. Member l.8'and nozzle 28 are adapted to beheld against valve head l3 by a lock nut or sleeve 24 threaded into- 5the upper end of valve stem' l4, the lower end of said sleeve engaging ashoulder 25 adjacent the upper end of member [8.

An annular cooling space or chamber'25 is thus formed within thevalve'stem through which a in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention being constituted by the engine fuel 'which is conducted toand from said chamber by means of flexible conduits 21 and 28.Preferably, fins 19 extend for amajor portion of the length of chamber26 for the purpose of directing the flow of fluid thereth'rough in amanner to obtain maximum cooling effect. Fins l9, 'it will be noted,serve to give increased rigidity to the valve stem and to the upwardlyand inwardly extending portion I 3a of the valve face. 7

Novel fuel injecting means are provided for supplying measuredquantities of fuel from chamber 26 to the engine power cylinder atpre-determined intervals depending upon'the speed of the engine. Forthis purpose a partition 29 is provided intermediate the ends ofcylinder member.

I8, thus forming an upper cylinder 38 and a lower cylinder 3| therein.Each of the latter cylinders is in communication with chamber 26 throughradial openings 32 and 33, and the lower ends of said cylinders arein'communication with each other through a passage 34 in the walls ofcylinder member l8. Within lower cylinder 3l is a; conical valve 35carried by a piston 38 and adapted to engage a valve seat 3' I formed onnozzle 28 to thereby cut off communication between the fuel supply andthe power cylinder through ori-' ,fice 22. Valve 35 is yieldingly,maintained in 40 closed position by suitable resilient means such I asspring 38 interposed between valve piston 38.

and partition-29. The fuel pumping means consists of a plunger 39adapted to be reciprocated within cylinder 38 by means to be hereinafterdescribed. r

When the lower end of plunger 39 is above orifice 32, fuel from chamber26 flows through the latter into pump cylinder 38.

On the downward stroke of plunger 39 fuel is expelled through orifice 32until the same is covered by the plunger, whereupon aifi'uid pressure isexerted by-the fuel forced through passage 34 on the lower face of valve35 suffici'ent to unseat the same against the pressure of spring 38,thereby permitting fuel to be pumped through nozzle orifice 22 intothepower cylinder. Spring 38 is of sufiicient strength to hold valve 35on its seat until the desired in jection pressure-is built up in thefuel pump chamber by the downward movement of plunger 60 39 bey ond port32. Cylinder 38, passage 34 and the space below valve 35 in cylinder 3|constitute an expansible fuel metering chamber. .The space above valvepiston 38 is in communication with chamber 26 through radial port 33 andthe fluid entering therethrough is effective to con-1 trol the unseatingmovement of valve 35, thereby insuring the quick resenting of the samewhen,

a proper fuel charge has been pumpeddnto the power cylinder. Thequantity of fuel introduced 7 into the power cylinder on each stroke ofpiston 8 is" determined by the length of stroke of plunger 39 below port322 It will be noted. that the entire fuel injector assembly may bereadily re-.

moved and disassembled without removing valve 75 13,14 from the cylinderhead.

cooling medium may be circulated, such medium Novel actuating meanscommon to both valve l3, l4 and the fuel injection mechanism areprovided for operating the same in proper sequence,

thereby reducing the number of moving parts and adding to the extremesimplicity of the engine. Such means are so constructed that thetransmission of vertical movement to the plunger 39, 48 and valve I 3,l4 may be accomplished without subjecting the same to the undesirableside thrust such as is exerted on rocker 'arm actuated .valves now incommon use. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the fuel'pump plunger ispreferably formed in two parts, the lower portion 39 being secured as bymeans of a ball and socket joint to V tudinal movement between saidshaft and block movement in said housing by means of splines 41 and setscrews 48. The upper surface of follower block 42 is adapted to be heldin engagement with the inner bifurcated end of rocker arm, 49 by meansof a spring 58 interposed between said follower block and the upper endof valve stem l4,-

thus normally holdingfp lunger 39 in raised position. 3 j

It will be seen that downward movement of follower. block 42 by rockerarm 49 is first effective to actuate plunger 39, 48 and thereafter toopen valve l3, l4 when the lower face ofthe follower block engages'theupper end of yalve stem l4.

The side thrust exterted by rocker arm 49 on follower block 42 due tothe pivotafmounting of the former is completely absorbed by fixed guide43; hence only the vertical component of force is 'exerted on plunger39, 48 and valve I 3, l4.

Rocker arm 49 is pivotally mounted on a journal 5| supported at its endsin bearings in housing 48, said journal extending through a hub portion52 intermediatethe ends of the rocker arm. A

pin 53 is adjustably secured adjacent the outer end of arm 49 andadapted to engagethe upper end of a push rod 54 the,lower end of whichengages a cam follower 55 pivoted as at 56 on a frame member (not shown)'of the engine. Member 55 is provided with a roller adapted to engage arotatably mounted 'cam plate 51 which may, if desired, be drivablysecured-to, or cast integrally with, crankshaft 8a of the engine.

- Rod 54 is yieldingly held in engagement with follower 55 and=thelatter in turn with the surface of cam plate 51 by means of a spring 58interposed between a flange member 59 on rod' 54 and-a bracket 68secured to housing 48.-. Conn ter-clockw'ise rotation of rocker 4.9 -andhence the upward movement of followfblockfl may passages in block 12 areconnected to chamber.

away (Fig. 1) so as not to interfere with the movement of arm 49.

It will be noted that the actual stroke of plunger 39, 40 is constant,the length of the same, as will hereinafter appear, depending upon thecam surfaces of cam plate 51. Novel means are accordingly provided forcontrolling the effective stroke of said plunger, i. e the length of itsstroke in cylinder 39 below ports 32. Such means, in the form shown,consists of an enlarged portion 62 on the upper end of shaft 40, saidenlarged portion being provided with longitudinally disposed gear teethadapted to cooperate with a toothed sector 63. The latter is slidablysupported on guide block 43 and is keyed to a vertical shaft 64journaled in said block. The lower end of shaft 64 projects into a slotin the central portion of guide block 43'and is keyed to the inner endof an operating rod 65 which extends through a suitable opening inhousing 46. Angular movement of operating rod 65 is thus adapted totransmit rotation through shaft 64, sector 63 and gear 62 to verticalshaft 40. Angular movement of the latter causes the same to move in alongitudinal direction relative to follower block 42 by" reason of screwthreads 4|. Plunger 39, 4i! is thus raised or lowered depending upon thedirection of rotation of shaft 40, thereby changing the effectivepumping stroke. The stroke of the .becast with said cover for engagingthe upper surface of sector 63. Fuel may be conducted to and from astorag tank (not shown) through conduits I9 and II respectively whichextend throughblock 12 secured to the outer surface of housing 46. The

26 in valve stem I4 by means of suitable flexible connections 21 and 28(Fig. 3). Although only a supply connection is required, an outletconduit,

stroke, compressing the air in the combustionchamber of the powercylinder 5, cam 13 on disc 5I engages cam follower 55, thereby rotat-,

ing rocker arm ina clockwisedirection and moving, follower block- 42 andshaft 40 downwardly against the tension igspring 50. The combinedeffects of springs--15 plus the compression in cylinder 5 beingconsiderably greater than that of spring 50, valve I3, I4 and hence fuelpump cylinder 30 remain stationary as plunger 39 moves downwardly. Asheretofore pointed out, fuel is forced out through port 32 into chamber26 until plunger39 covers said port.

Further downward moigement of the plunger exerts it pressure through thefuel in pump cylinder 39, passage 34 and the space below valve 35 whichis effective to raise said valve" against the pressure of spring 38 andforce fuel through noz- I zle orifice 22 into thepower cylinder. As soonas plunger 39 has reached the lower end of its stroke, determined by themaximum height of cam surface 13, valve 35 is again seated by thepressure of spring 38. Preferably, the maximum stroke of plunger 39 asthus determined by the cam is equal tothe distance between followerblock 42 and the upper end of valvestem I4 when the same are in thepositions illustrated in Fig. 1. x a

The fuel. thus injected into the power cylinder is ignited by the heatof compression of the combustion supporting medium therein and thepiston is driven downwardly by the expandinggases. During the downwardstroke of the power piston, follower block 42 and plunger 39 aremaintained, because of the dwelli'of cam 13, in the positions to whichthe same are moved by said cam. As piston 6 nears the lower end of itsstroke, it uncoversinlet ports (notshown) circumferentially arranged inthe walls of the cylinder, connecting said cylinder with a source ofcompressed air. Slightly before the piston uncovers the inlet ports, camsurface 14 engages cam follower 55, whereby exhaust valve I3, I4 isopened against the pressure of springs I5, the motion being transmittedfrom rockerarm 49 through follower block 42 to the upper end of thevalve stem. Y

The exhaust valve remains open untiljust prior to the closure of theinlt ports on the u'p-stroke of the engine piston, the closure of saidvalve being timed by the termination of cam surface 14. It will be notedthatthe compressed air entering the inlet ports will thus thoroughlyscavenge the power cylinder while the exhaust valve isopen andsuperchargethe same for a short interval after said valveis closed.

As cam follower 55 leaves cam 14 permitting the exhaust valve to close,it engages the portion 15 of the cam disc, thereby also permittingfollower block 42 and fuel pump plunger 39, to return, under theinfluence of spring 50, to the positions shown in Fig. l,- whereuponfuel pump cylinder 30 is again filled with fuel oil for another cycle ofoperation.-

If it is desired to reduce the speed of the engine, operating rod 65 ismoved upwardly; as

seen in Fig. 2, thereby rotating shaft 40 in a clockwise direction andcausing the same to move upwardly relative to follower block 42 byvirtue ofthreads 4I. The effective, pumping stroke of plunger 39 belowport 32 will thus be lessened and the quantity. of fuel pumped into thepower cylinder will be decreased accordingly. The movement of operatingrod 65 downwardly will be effective in like manner to increase. thecharge injected'into the power cylinderand hence increase the speed ofthe engine. If it is desired to stop the engine, operating rod 65 ismoved injection of fuel into the power cylinder.

There is thus provided novel valveand fuel injection apparatus for aninternal-combustion engine together with novel means for actuating andcontrolling the-same. The novel combina 'tionof elements thuscomprehended by this in-. vention greatly reduces the number of parts ofthe entire engine and renders the same compact and reliable. Unitarymeans are provided for operating the fuel injection mechanism. and'theonly moving valves which are requiredin an engine oi the typeillustrated, eliminating the additional rockerarms, push rods and camsheretofore employed. The necessity for a high pressure fuel pump remotefrom the power cylinders with the usual driving gear and attendant highpressure fuel lines, causing lag, inefliciency and unreliability, isobviated by the present invention. The parts are so constructed as to bereadily assembled and disassembled by any ordinary mechanic and thecompa'ct arrangement renders it possible to fully enclose substantiallyall of the moving parts, if desired, without unduly increasing the bulkof the engine. All of these features result in a safe, efi'icient enginehaving considerably less weight per horse-power output than Diesel-typeengines heretofore produced.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustratedand described, it is to be expressly understood that the same is notlimited thereto but that various changes-may be made Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. For example, the novel combinationtion therewith of means within said valve for in- .of elements shown isnot limited to use on twocycle engines, but may be used in combinationwith those operating on a four-cycle principle. Also the cavity formedin the valve head illustrated may be converted into a {ire-combustion.

chamber of a suitable size by positioning an apertured plateacross thebell end of the valve, if

desired, Various other changes may also be madein the design andarrangement of parts illustrated as will now be apparent to ,thoseskilled in the art. Reference will be primarily had to the appendedclaims for a definition of l the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port, a valve for said port having an enlarged head portion anda hollow stem, and means for actuating said valve for opening andclosing said port, the combinajecting fuel into said power cylindercomprising means forming a fuel chamber, a plunger adapted to exertpressure on. the fuel in said chamber, means for actuating said plungerwhen the valve is closed, valve means in said chamber controllingcommunication between the latter and said power cylinder and adapted tobe unseated by the fluid pressure in said chamber, and yielding meansresisting the unseating movement of said valve means. 1

2. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port therein and a valve for said porthaving an enlarged headportion and a hollow stem, the combination .therewith of fuel pumpingmeans within said valve including a pump cylinder having communicationwith said power cylinder, a plunger reciprocable in said pump cylinder,valve means controlling communication between said cylinders adapted to'be unseated by fluid pressure established byrelative movement of saidpump cylinder and plunger, and means exterior of said power cylinder forimparting movement to said plunger when the valve for the power cyl-.

fuel chamber, a plunger. reciprocable [in said. chamber, and valve meanscontrolling communi-' cation between said chamber and said powercylinder adapted to be unseated by fluid pressure in said chamber, andmeans for varying the effective delivery stroke of said plungerincluding a longitudinally movable member, canimeans on said plungeradapted to cooperate with. said member, and means for relativelyrotating said plunger and member whereupon said cam means becomeseffective to impart relative longitudinal movement thereto.

4. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderconstituting a fuel combustion space and having a port and a valve forsaid \port, the combination with said valve of means for injectingmeasuredquantities of fuel into said cylinder comprising means formingan expansible chamber in said valve, means for supplying fuel to saidchamberthrough a port in the walls thereof, a plunger reciprocable insaid chamber and adapted to open and close said port, valve meanscontrolling communication between said chamberand cylinder adapted to beunseated by fluid pressure after said plunger closes said port, andmeans for controlling the extent of the stroke of said plunger afterclosure of said port including cam means on said plunger adapted toimpart longitudinal movement thereto when the same is rotated, and meansfor rotating said plunger.

5. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port, a valve for said port, and a source of fuel supply, thecombination with said valve of means for injecting fuel from said sourceinto said cylinder including means forming a metering chamber for saidfuel in said valve, valve means controlling communication between saidchamber and cylinder, a plunger operable in said chamber for varying thevolume thereof, said plunger being adapted tov open and closecommunication between said source and said chamber and exert fluidpressure on said valve means for unseating the same when communicationwith said source is closed, and means for controlling the stroke of saidplunger after the closure .of communication with said source including alongitudinally movable member, means for holding said member againstrotation, cam "means .on said plunger adapted to cooperate with saidmember, and means for rotating said plunger to render the cam meansoperable to impart longitudinal movement to said plunger.

6. 'In an in'mrnal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving aport and-a valve for said port having an enlarged head portionand a hollow stem, the combination therewith of a-member'disposed withinsaid valve to form an annular cooling space therein, an expansiblechamber in said member, means for introducing a fuel into said chamber,a plunger operable for varying the volume of said chamber, valve meansfor controlling communication between said chamberand cylinder adaptedto be unseated'by fluid pressure in said chamber, and means exterior ofsaid valve for actuating said plunger. A

7. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port and a valve for said port, the combinatio with said valveof fuel pumping means there including a. fuel chamber havingcommunication with the power cylinder and a plunger in said chamber, andcommon means exterior of said cylinder for successively actuating saidplunger and valve.

8. In an internal-combustion engine provided witha power cylinder.having a .port, a valve for said port and yielding means normallyseating said valve, the combination with said valve of fuel pumpingmeans therein including a fuel chamher, a valve controllingcommunication between said chamber and said cylinder adapted to beunseated by fluid pressure in said chamber, and a plunger operable insaid chamber, and common means exterior of said cylinder forsuccessively actuating said plunger and first-named valve.

9. Inan internal-combustionengine provided with a power cylinder havinga port and a valve for said port, the combination with said valve offuel pumping means therein including a fuel chamber having communicationwith the power cylinder, and a plunger operable in said chamher, saidvalve having a cooling space surrounding said pumping means and being incommunication with said chamben'and common means for actuating saidplunger to pump fuel into said cylinder and subsequently to actuate saidvalve. 10. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a powercylinder having a port and a valve for said port having a cooling spacetherein, the combination with said valve of fuel pumping means thereinincluding a fuel chamber having communication with the power cylinderand a plunger in said chamber, common means for successively actuatingsaid plunger and valve, and means for varying the effective pumpingstroke of. said plunger. I

v 11. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port and a hollow valve for said port, the combination withsaid valve of a member disposed in said valve to form an annular coolingspace therein, flow directing means in said space, and pump means insaid member for injecting fuel into said cylinder.

12. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port and a hollow valve for said port, the combination withsaid valve of a member disposed in said valve to form an annular coolingspace therein, pump means in said member for injecting fuelinto saidcylinder, and common means for successively actuating said pump meansand said valve.

13. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port and a hollow valve for said port, the combination withsaid valve of a member-disposed in said valve to form an annular coolingspace therein, pump means including a plunger in said member forinjecting fuel into said cylinder, common means for succes'sivelyactuating said pump means and said valve, and means for positioning saidplunger to vary the effective pumping stroke of the same.

14. In combination, a Hollow valve,"a seat""for said valve, yieldingmeans for normally holding said valve on said seat, pump means in saidvalve,

and common means for successively actuating said pump means and saidvalve.

15. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port and a valve for said port having a cooling space therein,the combination with said valve of pump means within the valve includinga cylinder having communication with a source of fuel through a port inthe walls thereof, a plunger operable in said pump cylinder and adaptedto control communimeans for moving said plunger longitudinally,

independently of said actuating means, for varying the effective pumpingstroke of the, same.

17. In an internalecombustion engine provided with a powercylinder'having a port in the head thereof, a crank shaft, a piston in' saidcylinder adapted to be operatively connected to saidcrank shaft, and avalve for said port having an enlarged head portion and a hollow stem,the combination with said valve of fuel pumping means therein, andcommon means for actuating said pump means and said valve including apivoted rocker arm, cam means on said crank shaft, and. means interposedbetween said cam means and said rocker arm.

18; In apparatus of the class described, a valve havingan enlarged headportion and an elongated hollow stem, said valve head having an openingtherein, a member within said valve stem having a passage therethroughin communication with said opening and having an outer diametersubstantially less than the inner diameter of said stem, the lower endofsaid memher being adapted to engage a seat around said opening, a sleevethreaded into the upper end of said stem and adapted to engage saidmember to hold the latter in engagement with said seat, and a plungerreciprocable in said member.

19. In an internal-combustion engine provided with a power cylinderhaving a port and a valve for said port, the combination with said valveof fuel pumping means including a plunger within said valve, a fixedguide exterior of said valve, 2. member slidable in said guide andadapted to engage said plunger and valve, and means for reciprocatingsaid member including a pivoted rocker arm to successively actuate saidvalve and plunger, whereby only a vertical force is exerted upon saidvalve and plunger.

20. In apparatus of the class described, a cylinder, a plunge; adaptedto be reciprocated therein, said cylinder having a fluid inlet portadapted le in the; end of said second

